Shingles Vaccine Linked to Reduced Dementia risk & Improved Outcomes,New Research Suggests
Stanford,CA – December 3,2024 – A new study from Stanford University indicates the shingles vaccine may not only help prevent dementia,but also possibly treat the condition by slowing its progression and improving outcomes for those already diagnosed. Published in April 2024, the research builds on previous findings linking the vaccine to a lower risk of developing dementia.
Researchers leveraged the UK’s complete health records to compare dementia rates among individuals eligible for the shingles vaccine with a similar,non-eligible group. The study found vaccinated individuals were 20% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia over a seven-year period.
This latest analysis expanded on those findings, revealing vaccinated peopel were also less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI), often a precursor to dementia, though not all MCI cases progress to full dementia. Furthermore, among those already diagnosed with dementia, vaccinated individuals demonstrated a lower risk of death resulting from the condition.
“That means that the vaccine doesn’t just have a preventive potential, but actually a therapeutic potential as a treatment, as we see some benefits already among those who have dementia,” explained senior study author Pascal Geldsetzer, an assistant professor of medicine at Stanford, in a statement to CNN. “To me, this was really exciting to see and unexpected.”
The research team acknowledges the study cannot definitively prove a causal link, but believes thier methodology addresses many limitations common to observational studies. The findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting the shingles vaccine offers broader health benefits than initially understood.
In October 2024, another study revealed that individuals vaccinated against shingles also exhibited a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, and experienced increased longevity compared to those unvaccinated.
The shingles vaccine is currently universally recommended for all Americans aged 50 and older, administered as a two-dose series. Beyond preventing the intensely painful experience of shingles, the vaccine may now offer notable protection against neurological and cardiovascular diseases.
